Baltimore's offensive line ended with Bryant McKinnie at left tackle and Jah Reid on crutches.
But if the Ravens don't re-sign McKinnie this offseason, Reid could be a leading candidate to regain a starting position somewhere along the line.
The 2011 third-round pick is at the Under Armour Performance Center working his way back from a toe injury in hopes of making an impact once again either at left guard, where he left off, or tackle.
"I'll be a good football player for this team," Reid vowed. "I'm just looking to get healthy and for a spot to play."
Reid went down with a toe injury in Week 17, knocking him out of the entire postseason. He started the final seven games of the regular season at left guard.
According to Pro Football Focus, Reid had up and down performances, including strong showings against Pittsburgh and Denver and tough games in San Diego and Cincinnati.
"I felt like I was improving," Reid said. "It's a tough sport; you go out there and take your licks. You've got to learn and improve, and that's what I was doing."
Then the injury happened, and in a flash Reid's season was done.
"The timing, as far as for last season, sucked. Not being in the playoffs and the Super Bowl, it couldn't be any worse for me," Reid said.
The silver lining, Reid said, is that the injury allowed him enough recovery time to get back for this season and most or all of the offseason camps. He said he feels ahead of schedule and that his recovery has been all positive so far.
Reid was a right tackle in college, and the Ravens valued him so much that they traded up in the third round to grab him. They liked his size (6-foot-7, 335 pounds) and athleticism, especially his ability to bend well and drive.
Reid said he's comfortable either playing guard or tackle.
If McKinnie returns, he'll be the left tackle, Michael Oher would be at right tackle and Kelechi Osemele, who excelled as a rookie, would be at left guard. If McKinnie doesn't return, and the Ravens don't sign or draft anyone to start at tackle, Oher would presumably move back to the left side, Osemele to right tackle and Reid would be up for another shot at guard. Or the Ravens could keep Osemele at guard and Reid could work at right tackle.
"I don't care where I play," Reid said. "I just want to be out there and keep my job. That's my main concern."
